Russia said on Tuesday it would open a humanitarian corridor on Wednesday to allow civilians to leave, and urged Ukrainian fighters to “stop their senseless resistance and lay down their arms” at the same time. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had offered Ukrainian fighters sheltering in the Azot chemical plant in Severodonetsk the chance to surrender on Wednesday. “Evacuation and transport of human cargo is now impossible,” Mr Haidai said. The destruction by Russian forces of the remaining two bridges over the Siverskyi Donets river over the last two days leaves stranded civilians with no escape West to the neighbouring city of Lysychansk, which is also being shelled but remains in Ukrainian hands. “The Russians are destroying quarter after quarter,” Mr Haidai said, adding that the Russian army had been “partially successful at night” and controlled 70 per cent of the city. Earlier in the day, he said Russians were continuing to storm the embattled city and “having a significant advantage in artillery” pushed back Ukrainian soldiers. In a video update, Mr Haidai said Russia had not “completely captured” the city and “a part of the city” was under Ukrainian control. Russian forces have cut off all last routes out of Severodonetsk by destroying all three bridges to the embattled eastern city, according to the governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai.
Mr Zelenskiy reiterated Ukraine’s desire to free its entire territory and “drive the occupiers out of all our regions”. Ukraine map latest Assessed Control of Terrain in UkraineĪs of June 13th, 8pm Irish Time. We draw the attention of our partners on a daily basis to the fact that only a sufficient number of modern artillery for Ukraine will ensure our advantage and finally the end of Russian torture of the Ukrainian Donbas.” And we have no choice but to move forward and free our territory.
Mr Zelenskiy, who has expressed fears of losing support from the West as the conflict drags on, repeated earlier pleas for more and heavier military weapons from allies including the United States and United Kingdom: “We are dealing with absolute evil. The battle for the Donbas will without doubt be remembered in military history as one of the most violent battles in Europe,” he said.
“The human cost of this battle is very high for us. Mr Zelenskiy made the comment during his nightly address to the nation, noting the fighting was having a severe effect on civilians and his country’s military. The battle for Severodonetsk will be remembered as one of the “most brutal” Europe has ever seen and is taking a “terrifying” toll on Ukraine, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday evening, as Russian forces move closer to capturing the strategic eastern city.